Collapsible flat umbrella

ABSTRACT

A collapsible umbrella, longitudinally collapsible from an erected condition to produce a generally rectangular, small, flat package when stowed and including an improved, two-position handle on the lower end of the umbrella stick; the handle in one attitude being positionable generally along the longitudinal axis of the umbrella stick, and in another attitude being positionable transversely of the stick; in the first-mentioned attitude a radially stable gripping knob being provided, and in the later attitude the handle provides a second-type transverse gripping knob being provided as well as a shorter folded or collapsed umbrella to facilitate production of a small and flat stowage or carrying package.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Fritz Bremshey Solingen-Ohligs,Germany [21] AppLNo. 805,125 [22] Filed Mar. 7, 1969 [45] Patented Apr.27, 1971 [73] Assignee Telesco Brophey Limited Montreal, Quebec, Canada[54] COLLAPSIBLE FLAT UMBRELLA 4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 135/20, 135/26 [51] Int.Cl ..A45b 11/00, A45b 19/04, A45b19/06 [50] FieldofSearch 135/195, 20, 25,26, 44, 46 (SH), 45; 16/1 12,115; 287/93, 97, 54.1; 74/547; 24/97, 100, 212; 306/11, 16

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 489,271 1/1893 Sims 24/212X1,054,026 2/1913 Person..... 135/46SH 1,191,855 7/1916 Tuszka 74/5471,231,104 6/1917 Waggoner 135/195 1,941,214 12/1933 Kusterle 74/5471,946,292 6/1934 Livingston... 135/25 2,677,975 5/1954 Russell 74/5472,960,095 11/1960 Smith, Jr. 135/45 3 ,242,840 3/1966 Kremp et al. l6/l15X 3,402,950 9/ 1968 Hertzberg 287/54.1X

Primary ExaminerPeter M. Caun Attorney-Alan Swabey ABSTRACT: Acollapsible umbrella, longitudinally collapsible from an erectedcondition to produce a generally rectangular, small, flat package when:stowed and including an improved, two-position handle on the lower endof the umbrella stick; the handle in one attitude being positionablegenerally along the longitudinal axis of the umbrella stick, and inanother attitude being positionable transversely of the stick; in thefirst-mentioned attitude a radially stable gripping knob being provided,and in the later attitude the handle provides a second-type transversegripping knob being provided as well as a shorter folded or collapsedumbrella to facilitate production of a small and flat stowage orcarrying package.

COLLAPSIBLE FLAT UMBRELLA BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Field of Invention Theinvention relates generally to umbrellas, particularly those which arelongitudinally collapsible, and more particularly to an improved, hingedhandle.

Collapsible umbrellas having telescopic or hinged dome ribs and whichare longitudinally collapsible to a relatively short and compactcarrying package are generally known. There has been a constant effortto produce a foldable and collapsible umbrella which can be folded intoa relatively small and unobtrusive package to facilitate the carrying ofthe stowed umbrella in a handbag, briefcase, glove compartment" etc.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Primary objects of the invention are:

To provide a novel handle assembly having a plurality of optionalhandgrip positions, and which promotes the formation of a carryingpackage which is relatively compact and is of a shape to facilitatecarrying and storage;

To provide a novel handle in which the knob or handgrip can be orientedinto longitudinal alignment with an umbrella stick or which can bedisposed transversely of the stick and which can be so oriented in asimple manner permitting substantially all to use the umbrella, andwhich is sturdy and compact, economical to manufacture, and whichrequires a minimum of maintenance and repair;

To provide an improved handle of the character mentioned in which thehandle is hingedly mounted in such a manner and includes a constructionfacilitating the orientation and stable positioning of the handle invarious optional positions of adjustment and use.

GENERALLY depending upon different conditions of use, i.e. during highwind, for example.

Other objects and the more specific nature and other advantages of theinvention will become apparent from the following description when takenwith the drawing forming a part thereof, wherein:

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view showing anumbrella incorporating the invention stowed in a carrying case;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 2-2of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the umbrella stick andhandle assembly in substantially the same adjusted attitude of use asthat shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 4-4of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view looking from left to right at FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view looking at the same parts as FIG. 3,but showing the handle in a different attitude of use; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an erected umbrella, on a relativelysmaller scale, and showing the novel handle oriented in the sameposition as is shown in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing in detailand first considering FIG. 7, a collapsible umbrella comprises a stickor staff I which includes telescopic sections 2, 3 and 4 retained intheir extended position, for example, by spring-urged locks or detents 5(not shown in detail). The sections 2, 3 and 4 are graduated indecreasing cross section from section 2 to 4 and section 4 is preferablya solid rod that telescopes into 3, and thereafter section 3 telescopesinto section 2. Although the stick sections are shown to be circular,other cross sections are practical i.e. rectangular, oval, and/or othervarious polygonal shapes. The section 4 is relatively shorter than theother stick sections.

Secured to the upper end of stick section 2 is a substantiallyrectangular crown 6, the narrow ends 7 and 8 having hinged theretoopposed sets of four dome ribs 9 which are secured at their outer ends9' in any suitable manner, to the spaced portions of a suitable dome orumbrella canopy U. The ribs, in this embodiment will comprise telescopicrib (see FIG. 1) however, the ribs could comprise intermediately hingeddome ribs; both types being generally conventional.

Slidably supported on stick 1 by a sleeve 14" is a primary runner Mhaving a generally rectangular configuration in plan (similar to crown6), and to which are hinged opposed sets of four stretcher ribs 10 atends 12 and 13 of the runner 14; the outer ends of the stretcher ribs 10are hinged to intermediate portions of dome ribs ii at 11, for example.The runner 14 includes a suitable spring-urged lock device 15 forretaining the umbrella erected as in FIG. 7, and an auxiliary runner 16,similar to runner 14, is reciprocably supported on stick 1 betweenrunner 14 and crown 6. Runner 16 has hingedly connected to narrow ends18 and I9 opposed sets of four auxiliary stretcher ribs 17 which areintermediately hinged to the stretcher ribs 10 as shown.

When the umbrella is longitudinally collapsed, as shown in the stowedcondition in FIG. 1, sections 3 and 4 will be telescoped into section 2.The dome ribs 9 will be telescoped to about the length of stretcher ribs10 and all of the ribs will fold longitudinally down along the stick 1and the two opposed sets of four ribs on each end of the crown andrunners promotes the formation of a short and flat folded umbrellareadily received in a square cross-sectional stowage or carrying case 29as generally indicated in FIG. 1. The dome U will be wrapped around thecollapsed umbrella ribs and stick.

The rod or stick section 4 has pivotally mounted thereon a handleassembly indicated generally at 20. The rod 4 has a transverse boreextending diametrically adjacent a lower end 4 of the stick section 4and in which is received a transverse pivot-shaft element 21; thisportion 4 comprises a longitudinally extending, thin tab or tongueportion which is preferably semicircular at its lower edge.

The handle assembly comprises a relatively solid elongated handle orknob element 22 produced from any suitable material i.e. metal, plastic,etc., and having extending into end 20" an elongated longitudinal slot22' reciprocably receiving tab or tongue portion 4 therein, and openinginto opposite sides of handle element 22 are elongated guide slots 23which communicate with central slot 22'. The pin 21 is force fit ordriven into the aperture of tab 4' with opposite ends of the pin 21being reciprocably retained in guide slots 23. The slot 22' extendsabout onehalf the length of handle element 22 and opens only into end 20of the handle element. The inner end of slot 22 terminates in a radiusportion 25 conforming to the adjacent side of the lower end of stick tab40'. The tab 4' defines transverse shoulder portions 24l which engagethe edge 22" of the handle element and stabilize the element in thetransverse position shown in FIGS. 3-.5.

When the handle element 22 is moved in the direction x on FIG. 3, itcannot pivot because of shoulders 24, and upon reaching the terminal endof the handle element i.e. at the rightmost portion of guide slots 23 at23', the semicircular end 20" of the handle element will permit theelement 20 to be pivoted into longitudinal alignment with stick end 43'.The rounded end of the handle element and slot end 23 are so dimensionedto permit the handle element to pivot beneath shoulders 24.Communicating with the longitudinal slot 22 at opposite sides thereofand opening into end 20" of the handle element 20 is a longitudinalrecess 28 complimentary to stick portions 4" immediately above tab 4'.After the handle has been moved to the end of travel permitted by slots23, and pivoted to the position illustrated in FIG. 6, the handle isthen moved along the y axis shown in FIG. 3 i.e. up onto the stickportion 4 in direction z of FIG. 6, which results in stick portion 4"being received into complimentary socket 28 substantially as shown inFIG. 6; accordingly the handle 20 can only be displaced downwardly andis relatively stable in all radial directions.

The use of the handle 20 in the attitude shown in FIG. 6, is to providean axial continuation or elongation of stick section 4, and when it isdesired to reorient the handle to the position shown in FIGS. 35, thehandle is pulled downwardly while in attitude of FIG. 6 (recess 28 canprovide a relatively tight but manually separable fit), pivoted normalto the y axis of stick section 4, and then shifted to the right toreassume the attitude of FIGS. 3-5. In this position, the transverseknob is stable via edge 22 engaging shoulders 24 and complimentaryportion of slot 25 engaging the stick, and the floor 27 of the slot 22all cooperate to stabilize the assembly. The transverse knob of FIG. 3,can be firmly grasped in one's fingers during excessive wind conditions,for example.

As previously mentioned, the handle 20 is disposed transversely in theattitude as shown in FIG. 3 when it is stowed in rectangular sheath 29.This of course provides a shorter assembly or collapsed umbrella thanwhen the handle extends axially as in FIG. 6. The transverse handleattitude asists in insertion of the umbrella into the open end 30 of thesheath, and the crown 6, not seen in FIG. I, aids to maintain and formthe square shape at the closed end of the package (not shown). Thehandle will extend beneath the dome rib ends 9, and the narrow width 29'of the package is shaped by the handle and crown; the sides 29" of thesheath have suitably secured thereto a retaining strap 31 including aseparable fastener assembly 32.

As previously mentioned, the dome and stretcher ribs are arranged inopposed sets of four ribs at each end of the crown and runners and thisnarrow arrangement of the ribs together with the shape of the sheath 2%will fonn the rectangular shape of FIGS. 1 and 2.

lclaim:

1. In a generally foldable-flat umbrella for forming a packaged umbrellahaving a generally rectangular cross section when sheathed, saidumbrella including a stick, collapsible dome, dome and stretcher ribs incombination with crown and runners, in which the latter have a generallyrectangular appearance in plan to aid in producing the foldedrectangular appearance; and a handle assembly hingedly connected to thelower end of said stick and cooperating with said crown and runners tofurther define the rectangular folded configuration, the improvementcharacterized in that said handle assembly includes a handle elementhaving a longitudinal slot portion originating from an intermediateportion of said element and opening into one side end thereof andcommunicating with an axial end opening, guide means slidably connectingsaid stick in guided relation along said slot, said axial end openingbeing generally complimentary to the lower end of said stick to whichsaid handle element is hingedly connected, said stick and handleincluding abuttingly engageable shoulder and edge portions for orientingthe handle element transversely and generally normal to the stick, andalternatively pemtitting orientation of said handle element inlongitudinally extending relation from said stick with the lower endthereof telescoped in said axial opening, said handle including arelieved end portion at the end into which said axial recess opens forpermitting said handle to be rotated from axial alignment to saidtransverse position relative to said stick.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said stick islongitudinally collapsible whereby a relatively short compact stowagepackage can be formed.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said stick includes alongitudinal tab transversely apertured and having a pivot elementextending therethrough, the longitudinal slot portion of said handlereciprocably receiving said stick tab therein, said handle guide meanscomprising elongated guide slots flanking and communicating with saidslot portion and reciprocably receiving said pivot element.

4. The structure as claimed in claim 3 in which said axial end openingconforms to the shape of said stick above said apertured tab whereby thestick can be moved axially into said end opening and the handle isstabilized against radial movement.

1. In a generally foldable-flat umbrella for forming a packaged umbrellahaving a generally rectangUlar cross section when sheathed, saidumbrella including a stick, collapsible dome, dome and stretcher ribs incombination with crown and runners, in which the latter have a generallyrectangular appearance in plan to aid in producing the foldedrectangular appearance; and a handle assembly hingedly connected to thelower end of said stick and cooperating with said crown and runners tofurther define the rectangular folded configuration, the improvementcharacterized in that said handle assembly includes a handle elementhaving a longitudinal slot portion originating from an intermediateportion of said element and opening into one side end thereof andcommunicating with an axial end opening, guide means slidably connectingsaid stick in guided relation along said slot, said axial end openingbeing generally complimentary to the lower end of said stick to whichsaid handle element is hingedly connected, said stick and handleincluding abuttingly engageable shoulder and edge portions for orientingthe handle element transversely and generally normal to the stick, andalternatively permitting orientation of said handle element inlongitudinally extending relation from said stick with the lower endthereof telescoped in said axial opening, said handle including arelieved end portion at the end into which said axial recess opens forpermitting said handle to be rotated from axial alignment to saidtransverse position relative to said stick.
 2. The structure as claimedin claim 1 in which said stick is longitudinally collapsible whereby arelatively short compact stowage package can be formed.
 3. The structureas claimed in claim 1 in which said stick includes a longitudinal tabtransversely apertured and having a pivot element extendingtherethrough, the longitudinal slot portion of said handle reciprocablyreceiving said stick tab therein, said handle guide means comprisingelongated guide slots flanking and communicating with said slot portionand reciprocably receiving said pivot element.
 4. The structure asclaimed in claim 3 in which said axial end opening conforms to the shapeof said stick above said apertured tab whereby the stick can be movedaxially into said end opening and the handle is stabilized againstradial movement.